Finger-print x i identification-card and method of producing same



I. P. S.-VOGHT. FINGER PRINT IDENTIFICATION CARD AND METHOD OF PRODUCING SAME.

I I APPLICATION FILED JUNEZG, I920. 1,380,506.;

Patented June 7 1921.

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IDENTIFICATION /6 CARD 3 ivwvw -ML @h v W Ill/l IIIIIIIIIIIIiIIIIIIIAI earn H.-

JOHN P. S. VOGI-IT, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

FINGER-PRINT IDENTIFICATION-CARD AND METHOD OF PRODUCING SAME.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June "3, 1921.

Application filed .Tune 26, 1920. Serial No. 391,989.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN P. S. Voerrr, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Finger-Print Identification-Cards and Methods of Producing Same; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it. appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The object of this invention is to produce an identification card which will be unalterable, certain and positive in its identification of any special individual.

Briefly, the invention comprises a metallic plate which constitutes the card, and

bears various identifying indicia. The card is provided with a space preferably countersunk for the reception of the finger print,

which space is surrounded by an arc of a circle described from a center adjacent the print space. The print is produced by means of a chemical applied to the finger, which attacks the metal on the plate to produce a permanent print. Identifying lines are scratched in the metal through the print for the purpose of securing the print. 7

In the drawings: 7

Figure 1 is a face view of the card; and

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

A metal card 10 is provided with a countersunk or depressed portion 12, bounded by the walls 1a toprovide a print-receiving space as shown. A graduated are 15 is described about the space 12 from a center at or adjacentthe edge of the card, as indicated at 30, said center being also adjacent the print space 12. The card is further provided with various indicia, such as would be used on an automobile license tag. For instance, at 16 there is a number lndicating the State in which the'license is issued; at 18 the automobile license number; at 20 a series of numbers, any one of which can be marked to indicate a particular county; at 22 a space is outlined for the reception of the owners signature; at 24 a countersunk space 24 is provided for an attesting finger-print to be placed by the issuing olfloer. At 25 letters appear to indicate the finger from which the print P in space 12 is taken, R. M. meaning right-middle.

The print P is produced by rubbing upon the finger a chemical which will attack the metal of the plate, which is preferably zinc, to produce a permanent print. Validating lines Vare then drawn from the point 30, as a center, by means of a stylus producing corresponding scratches across the print. This will preferably be extended to cross the are 15. These lines V determine one or.

more of the eight well-known patterns. For

instance, oneline passes through the loop at L, and the other line through the delta at D. In addition to this a plurality of short guide lines G may be scratched into the metal to show other distinguishing features, such as dots and abrupt endings.

The lines V and G are scratched deeply into the plate so that it would be impossi-v ble to remove the print by'any means known,

and superpose another print wherein pat terns and distinguishing marks would fall in proper positions upon the various lines.

with the original print P on the card. Thus it would be easy to determine whether thebearer of an automobile license card such as shown 1n the drawlng 1s the rightful owner of the machine whlch he drives.

In a similar manner, prints may be made for the use of banks, for policy holders in life insurance companies, for personal use, and for infants and patients in hospitals. It is understood of course that prints may be taken from other parts of the body than fingers, such as the sole of the foot in the case of an infant; and in theclaims finger-print is to be construed as covering a print from any part of the body.

A chemical which will be used preferably is non-injurious to the skin, even though not washed away, which renders this means of printing very desirable. Also, the marking of only one or two of the eight wellknown patterns, and the marking of four or five other permanent distinctions, eliminates the necessity for considerable technical knowledge of the subject, and permits of quickly comparing a print with the original print P of the card.

I claim:

1. The method of producing finger prints and the'like comprising the application of a chemical which will attack a metal to the finger, and pressing the finger upon a sheet of metal subject to attack by said chemical whereby a print is produced.

2. In a method of producing finger prints,

the stepof obtaining a print from a finger by the application of a chemical on the finger to a sheet of metal subject to attack by the chemical to produce-theprint.

g 3. The method of producing an identifying finger print, comprising the application of a chemical to the finger, producing a print of the finger upon a sheet of metal subject to attack by the chemical, and scratching lines in the sheet to mark prominent features of the print.

4. The method of producing an identifying finger print comprising the application of a chemical to the finger, pressing the finger upon a sheet of metal to produce the print, the chemical being adapted to attack the metal, scratching lines in the metal to mark the main features of the mark, said lines being drawn from a common center locatedadjacent the print, and scratching other lines in the metal to mark other distinguishing features without regard to direction.

5. An identification card comprising a sheet of metal having identifying indicia thereon, a space for a finger print outlined on said sheet, and a graduated are being delineated about said space having a center adjacent said space.

6. An identification card comprising a sheet of metal having'identifying indicia thereon, a space for a finger print outlined on said sheet, and a graduated are being delineated about said space having a center adjacent said space, said space being countersunk below the level of the body of the plate to protect a print in the space.

7. An identification card comprising a sheet of metal having identifying indicia lines scratched in the metal to determine one:

of the well known patterns, said lines passing through said center, andguide lines leading from other distinguishing features.

9. An. identification card comprising a sheet of metal having identifying indicia thereon, a space for a finger print outlined thereon, a graduated are delineated about said space and having a center adjacent said space, a finger print in said space, validating lines scratched in the metal to determine one of the well known patterns, said lines passing through said center, andguide lines leading from other distinguishing features,

said space being countersunk below the level of the body of the plate to protect the print.

10. An identification card comprising; a sheet of metal having identifying indicia thereon, a space for a finger print outlined thereon, a graduated are delineated about said space and having a center adjacent said space, a. finger print in sald space, validatmg lines scratched in the metal to determine one of the well known patterns, said lines passing through said center, guide lines leading from other distinguishing features, said space being countersunkbelow the level of the body of the plate tO'protect the print, and guide lines leading from other distinguishing features without regard to direction, said space being countersunk below the level of the body of the plate to protect the print. 7

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JOHN P. s. vosr-rr. 

